Consumerist, June 16, 2007

AT&T has announced a plan to keep pirated content off their network by peeking at everyone's data to see if it contains copyrighted material. The plan, which the telecom somehow claims will "not violate user privacy," will only target repeat offenders.

AT&T's recently launched television service has made the telecom hungry for content, and pliant to the RIAA's and MPAA's wishes. Like a KGB agent in need of rubles, The New AT&T is willing to become an equal-opportunity mole, spying not just for the people via the NSA, but for the entertainment associations as well.

Despite the FCC's claims of a vibrant, bustling market for internet service, switching ISPs will not help you escape AT&T clutches.

In addition to running a massive network of its own, AT&T runs a good chunk of the backbone infrastructure in the US. It's a rare bit of traffic that can make it to its destination without passing on to an AT&T-owned network. If the company deploys its anti-piracy technology to all data passing through its networks, AT&T's "solution" could affect most US Internet users. In addition, many US residents have limited broadband choices.
Poor AT&T. All they ever wanted was to offer television service, but those perverted entertainment associations twisted the telecom to their will. You just know RIAA head Mitch Bainwol left a meeting with AT&T thinking: "The force is strong with this one." — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER

AT&T willing to spy for NSA, MPAA, and RIAA [Ars Technica]

[Editor's note: Also read AT&T Moves to Take Over the Internet]

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